Teeth and dental disease

The dental formula is 1/1 incisors and 3/3 molars. Like other rodents, gerbils lack canines and premolars.

Gerbils have incisors that are open-rooted, meaning that these teeth grow continuously throughout adult life. Malocclusion is rare in gerbils, but a diet of soft foods, i.e., in liquid or powder form, or a developmental jaw malformation will cause tooth overgrowth. Staff must be alert to detect any signs of this condition and to provide appropriate treatment.

Gerbils are prone to forming dental caries and periodontal disease, especially at ages over 6 months. This species is often used in dental research. The molars retain fine particles of food and are prone to dental caries, making the gerbil a model for dental research.